Jerusalem Security

Islamic Jihad fires 50 rockets into Israel after senior leader killed
UPI reports: "Israeli security forces said Tuesday they killed a senior leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in a predawn attack on the Gaza Strip, inciting the militant group to fire about 50 rockets in retaliation. [...] Rocket alerts blared across southern and central Israel early Tuesday as the Islamic Jihad "indiscriminately" fired rockets at Israeli towns near Gaza in retaliation, the IDF said via Twitter."

Comment: It appears that the security situation in Israel is getting complicated as more pressure is brought to bear on the Islamic State. From what I've read, there is a huge arsenal of rockets under the control of Palestinian forces in Gaza and in Lebanon. Pray for Israel.

Jerusalem Security - Covenant With Many

U.N. chastises U.S. for recognizing Israel's claims to Golan Heights
UPI reports: "The United States was chastised Wednesday by the 14 other members of the United Nations Security Council for its decision to recognize Israel's sovereignty over Golan Heights. [...] The stretch of land between the two Middle Eastern countries was seized by Israel during the Six-Day War of 1967."

Comment: This is a great example of how easily the world gangs up on Israel. The countries represented by the Security Council are supporting Syria, a country embroiled in a civil war and controlled by a dictator (under sanction by the UN!), and taking offense at the U.S. defending Israel.  You know, historically, when a country fights a war and wins territory, that territory is considered theirs. Many times wars have been fought just to decide who controls territory and it is understood that war settles the matter. After all, why bother fighting if it didn't? So, the historical precedent is represented by the saying, to the victor go the spoils. This historical precedent apparently does not apply to Israel because....Israel. When Israel wins land in war it is thereafter called "disputed" or "occupied territory" so as to deny the legitimacy of the Israeli claim. This is why I applaud the Trump Administration for bravely recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and firmly stating that it belongs to Israel. They fought, they won, it belongs to them now.

Jerusalem Security - Covenant With Many

Hamas, Israel continue fighting despite reports of a cease-fire - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Despite news of a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, rockets continued to be launched from both sides of the conflict."

Comment: Hamas attacks Israel with rockets and Israel retaliates. Rinse and repeat. Do you ever wonder if the Palestinians really want peace? Do they think rocket attacks are peaceful gesture? 

Jerusalem Security - Covenant With Many

Israel strikes Gaza in retaliation for rockets launched at Tel Aviv - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Israeli airstrikes hit Hamas targets within Gaza Thursday night in retaliation to two rockets fired earlier at central Israel from the Palestinian-controlled area along the country's western coast. [...] IDF attacked several military facilities within Gaza, striking six buildings used by the militant Palestinian organization, Haaretz reported. [...] Two rockets fired from Gaza were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system, the IDF said. Earlier Thursday, two rockets were fired from Gaza toward Tel Aviv, setting off emergency sirens in the capital for the first time since Israel conducted a large scale military operation in Gaza in 2014."

Comment: The "militant wing" of the Palestinians is again demonstrating their support for Mideast peace.

Gog Alliance - Doomed Damscus

Netanyahu to meet with Putin to discuss Iran, Syria - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday he plans to travel to Russia later this month to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Feb. 21 trip, the first formal meeting between the two leaders in about a year, is expected to address Iranian efforts to establish a military presence in Syria."

Comment: Will be watching this closely. Would Russia have gone to all that effort and expense to secure the Assad regime and then turn Syria over to Iran? That is doubtful. Still, it's possible that Russia would acquiesce to a small permanent Iranian presence. I'm sure that is something Israel will go to great lengths to prevent.

Jerusalem - Cup of Trembling

U.S., Israel, formally leave UNESCO - UPI
UPI reports: "The United States and Israel on Tuesday formally exited UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, after accusing the agency of anti-Israel bias. The countries announced their intention to leave the agency in October 2017 after UNESCO countries voted to make the Palestinian city of Hebron a world historical site. Israel, whose occupation of Palestine violates international law, argued that UNESCO's decision to recognize Palestinian sites was inspired by anti-Israel sentiment.

Comment: The use of the word "occupation" in the above news report is representative of the world bias against Israel. Historically, disputes over territory are resolve by war. If the winning side gains territory then it is thereafter owned by right of conquest. This historical precedent is somehow ignored by the world so that the Palestinians can claim land they already lost in war. So, please join me in rejecting the use of "occupation" to refer to land that Israel won and instead accept their victory by recognizing that the land belongs to Israel. 

Covenant With Many - Jerusalem

U.S. resolution condemning Hamas fails at United Nations
UPI reports: "The United Nations failed to pass a U.S. resolution condemning Hamas and other militant groups for their activities against Israel in Gaza. While the majority of the U.N.'s general assembly voted for the resolution Thursday, the United States and outgoing ambassador Nikki Haley were outflanked procedurally, losing a vote beforehand requiring a two-thirds approval for the resolution to pass, instead of a simple majority. In the end, 87 countries voted for the resolution condemning Hamas, 57 voted against and there were 33 abstentions."

Comment: What a burden (or a burdensome stone as Zechariah said) Jerusalem is to the nations. Why can't they let it go? Why is this small little country of Israel always at the top of the international agenda, as if somehow they were a superpower or a strategic competitor? Israel has no oil like Saudi Arabia. Israel is not at the crossroads of East and West like Turkey. Yet the status of Israel is a constant issue among the nations of the entire world. It's a wonder to behold.

Peace and Security of Jerusalem

Leaders warn Australia about possible embassy move to Jerusalem - UPI
UPI reports: "Australia moving its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem would be a shift that could make the country a larger target for terrorists, leaders in Malaysia and Indonesia warned Friday. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison talked about moving the embassy during his recent campaign, though no firm decision has been made on the proposal."

Comment: I support Israel and reject the notion that countries should not support Israel because it only encourages terrorists. What kind of logic is that? Don't do something because it makes the terrorists angry? 

Jerusalem Security

Israel launches airstrikes in Gaza, destroys Hamas TV station - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Israeli military and Palestinian militants exchanged rocket fire Monday after a botched undercover mission over the weekend killed several people in the Gaza Strip. [...] The IDF said it built up its troops and defenses along the border with Gaza after Palestinians launched at least 300 projectiles over the fence into Israeli territory."

Comment: Here is another good example of how the news media goes out of the way to denigrate Israel while promoting the Palestinian cause. According to this UPI reporter, the Palestinians (aggrieved and wrong, btw) launched "projectiles" at Israel. You know, another word for projectiles would be missiles. But, that sounds so harsh and mean-spirited, right? Better go with the technical and almost antiseptic sounding term projectiles. It's almost Orwellian, this use of alternative terms and phrases to describe the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel.

Covenant With Many

PLO threatens to pull out of agreements with Israel - UPI
UPI reports: "The Palestine Liberation Organization could repeal agreements it made with Israel, including the Oslo Accords that established its relationship with the nation. 'We are going to put all the agreements between us and the Israelis on the table and we will ask them to stop violating each agreement,' PLO President Mahmoud Abbas said on Palestinian TV Tuesday. 'I am not saying this is an easy issue; it is a dangerous issue. Perhaps we will arrive at the point of abrogating a lot of what is between us and the Israelis.' The Palestinian Central Council will meet in Ramallah Oct. 28 and 29."

Comment: The Palestinians never fail to impress me with their sincere actions in pursuit of peace with Israel.  ;>

Covenant With Many

AP - Trump, at UN, backs separate states for Israel, Palestinians
AP reports: "For the first time since taking office, President Donald Trump endorsed a two-state solution as the best way to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians as he met Wednesday at the U.N. with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. [...] In his earlier comments, Trump said his much anticipated but still unreleased Mideast peace plan could be presented in the next two to four months, but was not specific as to timing."

Comment: It will be interesting to see how Trump's peace plan differs from those proposed by his predecessors. Expecting big things from a great deal-maker!

Covenant With Many

Palestinian official says U.S. will never present Middle East peace plan | Reuters
Reuters reports: "The United States will not present its long-awaited plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace any time soon and is instead trying to unilaterally change the terms of reference for any future proposal, a senior Palestinian official said on Saturday. Echoing deep scepticism among the Palestinians, Arab countries and analysts, Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian chief negotiator, said that the Trump administration was siding with Israel on the core issues of the decades-old conflict, burying all chances for Middle East peace."

Comment: Here is an interesting news report that illustrates Palestinian rejection of any Trump peace plan...even before it's announced.  They will now probably fire off more missiles at Israel to demonstrate their sincere desire for peace.

Covenant With Many

Paraguay moving Israeli embassy back to Tel Aviv, after 4 months
UPI reports: "Paraguay said Wednesday it's moving its Israeli embassy back to Tel Aviv, just weeks after moving the consulate to Jerusalem. [...] In response, Israel closed its embassy in the South American nation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhyahu on Wednesday raised concern about the move's impact on diplomatic relations. [...] The Palestinian Authority said it convinced newly-elected Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez to reverse the decision to move away from Tel Aviv, which was made by his predecessor."

Comment: This is an unexpected diplomatic victory for the Palestinians, one that underscores how easy it is to manipulate opinion against Israel. 

Rumors of War - Jerusalem Security

AP - Hamas says Gaza cease-fire reached with Israel
The AP reports: "Gaza’s Hamas rulers said late Thursday that a truce had been reached with Israel, ending an intense two-day burst of violence that had pushed the region closer to war. But the deal did not appear to address the deeper issues that have prevented the bitter enemies from reaching a longer cease-fire arrangement. [...] the agreement merely ended the latest round of violence, in which Gaza militants fired some 200 rockets at Israel and the Israeli military carried out a similar number of airstrikes in Gaza. He said Egypt, which often serves as a mediator between the sides, would continue the more difficult task of brokering a long-term cease-fire. [...] Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since the Islamic militant group seized control of Gaza in 2007."

Comment: There is a very important difference between now and when the last three wars were fought between Israel and Hamas. Today we don't know what will happen in the north if Israel fights a war in the south. If Gaza erupts into a full fledged war, what will those Iranian troops and Islamic militias do just over the international border in Syria? Will they be tempted to open a second front and challenge Israel in the north to support Hamas? I know there are many who think that if Israel and Hamas have another war that's not a very big deal, but the situation has changed greatly and I think it will indeed be a very big deal.

Peace of Jerusalem

Israel passes controversial Jewish nation-state bill - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Israeli lawmakers passed a Jewish nation-state bill Thursday, that's been steeped in controversy, after a long debate. The bill officially defined Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people. It says Jerusalem is the united capital and the official language is Hebrew, with Arabic having 'special status.'"

Comment: The world is shocked to discover the Israel is the Jewish state, cue the outrage.

Rumors of War - Jerusalem Security

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns of 'prolonged struggle' after Gaza strikes - UPI.com UPI reports: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned local leaders near the Gaza border hit by rocket fire over the weekend of a 'prolonged struggle.' [...] The visit came after a weekend of an exchange of attacks between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants. Rockets fired from Gaza injured three people at a home in Sderot. [...] Netanyahu has been previously criticized for not visiting communities near the Gaza border and accepting a cease-fire that excluded mention of incendiary kites and balloons militants have sent over the border into Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported. "

Comment: I wonder if the Israelis are misinterpreting the Palestinian peace kites and balloons as something other than gestures for peace? Surely, after everything they've said in the press, the Palestinians are doing everything possible to demonstrate how much they want peace with Israel.

Rumors of War - Jerusalem Security

Gaza fires 30 rockets into Israeli territory - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The Israel Defense Force said 30 rockets were fired into Israel from Gaza overnight on Tuesday. Seven of the missiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system, while three missed their mark and landed on the Gaza Strip, according to the IDF. There were no reports of injuries or damages. The IDF struck 25 targets in Gaza in three seperate operations, including three that occurred before the rocket fire."

Comment: Another fine peace gesture from the Palestinians. Who can doubt their sincere interest in peace with Israel?

Jerusalem Security - Covenant With Many

U.N. General Assembly condemns Israeli violence against Palestinians - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning Israel's use of excessive force on Palestinian civilians. The resolution passed by a vote of 120-8 with 45 countries abstaining. A U.S. bid to condemn Hamas, a Palestinian fundamentalist group, for attacks on Israel also received a majority vote in favor -- 62-58 with 42 abstaining -- but the president of the General Assembly rejected it because it didn't have the required two-thirds majority to pass. The resolution is unlikely to lead to any action against Israel because the United States, a close ally of the nation, would veto it."

Comment: While I'm grateful to see the U.S. stand by an ally and for the support of those few countries who voted for Israel, it's sobering to see how easily world opinion is rallied against Israel and in favor of the Palestinians.  I was just reading a report the other day about Palestinians sending kites over Israel that are on fire and they land in fields and then burn crops. No mention of that here, just the general impression that the Palestinians are peaceful and gentle people being oppressed by Israel.

Jerusalem Restored

AP - US embassy jubilantly opens in Jerusalem as Gaza rages
The AP reports: "The United States opened its new embassy in Jerusalem Monday with a high-powered American presidential delegation joining Israel’s top leadership in a celebration of their countries’ friendship and the city’s history as the ancient capital of the Jewish people. [...] For Israelis, it marked the first official recognition of their capital after 70 years. But the move infuriated Palestinians, who seek the eastern part of the city that Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war as their future capital. Also absent were the ambassadors of many European nations that opposed the move ... [...] As significant as the event was for many Jews, it appeared to be equally important for Israel’s Christian allies. [...] Evangelicals say their affinity stems from Christianity’s Jewish roots, and some view Israel’s establishment as fulfilling biblical prophecy."

Comment: What a great day, and yes, it is indeed prophetically significant. Why, you ask, does this fulfill prophecy? Because either directly or indirectly, it affirms the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The prophets foretold that Jerusalem would be established as a city and capital for the people of Israel, who would themselves be restored to the land after being scattered among the nations. Jerusalem also has a great destiny to be the future capital of the planet. You see, God's original plan was for the light of grace to shine in Jerusalem and for the nations to come to Jerusalem learn the ways of God. When Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah, God turned it around, the Good News of salvation would go out from Jerusalem to all nations. When Christ returns and establishes His kingdom and rules on the Throne of David, then once again the nations will come to Jerusalem, the city of the Great King, to learn the ways of the Living God.

See:  Isaiah 44:26 / Jeremiah 30:1-38:22 / Zechariah 8 & 12.

A special note about today,  let's not forget to gives thanks for the United States, Guatemala and Paraguay as the bravest of the brave, the only nations to honor Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. I'm praying that God will richly bless these nations for blessing Israel (Genesis 12:3).

Update 5/24/18: I'd like to update this and clarify that the above comment about the status of Jerusalem in God's design for history did not come from me but from Dr. David Jeremiah, who likened Israel to the center of a wheel with the spokes radiating out to the nations.  

Rumors of War - Persia

AP Analysis: Iran has few options to avenge Syria strikes
AP reports: "After a second suspected Israeli strike killing Iranian forces in Syria, the Islamic Republic has few ways to retaliate as its leaders wrestle with both unrest at home and the prospect of its nuclear deal collapsing abroad. [...] Here’s a look at what happened and the challenges confronting Iran as it weighs its response."

Comment: As you know, Israel attacked Iranian positions in Syria and we are now awaiting the Iranian response. What can Iran do? This analysis from the AP has the answers.